I had to think about this one for a few minutes before I started writing.

I'm sure you're all familiar with the lack of familiarity my brother and I share. I go to somewhat interesting lengths to poke him, much the same way someone might poke a fat person's belly in a none-too-subtle hint as to communicate that they should lose weight.

I should clarify that I have not always been this negative towards this particular individual--and, in fact, not only have I been a staunch supporter and encourager of him in the past, but I've also issued profuse apologies for when my special flavor of encouragement went too far.

These days have long since passed because no matter how many times we circle round and round, we always wind up in the same place. I am confident and at times arrogant (inasmuch as that the intensity of my focus on certain goals makes my confidence look like arrogance) and I have an extraordinary low tolerance for stupid ... especially when there's no excuse for it and the individual in question actively does everything they can to close their mind off to the very things that will, in turn, make you, well, a SMART person.

I don't want this to be another attack on religion--that's not necessary right now--but I need to address a something certain Christian's like to say and, in turn, was conveyed to me by my brother in his last blog.

"I'll pray for you."

Four words. End of conversation. It doesn't matter how much has been said or debated prior or how much steam remains to continue the discussion ... once those four words are uttered--BAM--game over.

"I'll pray for you."

Now, I understand I'll get flack from Tripp (and maybe Ibrahim ;) but I'll say it anyway: what a fucking cop-out. "I'll pray for you"?!

I once heard that for a professional writer to use "etcetera" is a pathetic and disappointing cop-out. If your profession is to write and manufacture words, how can you justify replacing whatever it is you're referring to with "etcetera" or worse "etc."? After considering the statement "I'll pray for you"--when used unsolicited in the context of an argument or a debate where there are fundamental differences of opinion--there can truly be no greater cop-out.

I'd like to take a moment to address all who participated in previous discussions: thank you for actually engaging and contributing to the discussion rather than simply pulling up the draw-bridge and calling out over the alligator-infested moat "I'll pray for you!".

And let me clarify, so I don't totally piss off my religious friends: if someone ASKS for your prayer and you tell them "I'll pray for you", that's something COMPLETELY different than what I'm talking about. Just so we're clear.

"I'll pray for you."

To say this immediately AFTER actually engaging in a conversation? Does the word "cowardly" do this phrase any justice?

Which conveniently sets up another of the "Worst of Religion" pet-peeves (this one might actually get me in trouble). I hate people who hide behind their religion. I hate people who hold up whatever religion it is that they subscribe to and claim that as an excuse for whatever it is they need an excuse for. I hate people who further use religion as an excuse to not pursue their own intellectual maturation.

Today, it is my opinion that the phrase "I'll pray for you" is the product of the very worst of these kinds of people. Clearly, our values differ! You saying that you'll "pray" for me is nothing less than one final stabbing insult because once those four words are said--BAM--end of conversation.

Those four words tell me that your mind is completely closed off. Those four words tell me that you've taken the blue pill and don't care how far the rabbit hole goes. Those four words are the very definition of ignorance and ineptitude because once they're uttered, there simply is nothing more.

And without anything more, you're stuck in this exact moment for your entire life. Never will you experience anything new or exciting or stimulating or happy or sad--you will never experience these things because you were never open to them in the first place because they never fit into the tiny construct of which your world exists.

"I'll pray for you."

I have some choice words as for what you can do with those prayers of yours, but instead, I'll leave you with this list of responses that I found when I googled that phrase:

- You are not praying hard enough. Pray harder because it's not working.